Judge delays Baird's sentencing in fatal Woodland crash

Several weeks after a jury found Ryan Baird guilty of second-degree murder and other charges for a crash that killed a Woodland resident, the day of his sentencing arrived Thursday.

But the judge in the case decided to delay Baird's sentencing, citing "legal issues that are complex."

Baird, 23, faces life in prison for driving drunk on the night of Jan. 6, 2012 and causing a violent rollover crash on the Interstate 5 off-ramp for County Road 102 in Woodland. Woodland resident Robert "Bobby" Sunderland III, 25, was killed, and another passenger, James Black, sustained serious injuries.

A year and a half later, Sunderland's family members say they are still unable to cope with the loss. In statements read in court Thursday morning, the crash victim's mother and brother castigated Baird and demanded justice.

"I cannot find it in my heart to forgive you," said Bonnie Sunderland in a statement read aloud by a member of the Yolo County Victims Services Program.

Bonnie recounted the night of the crash, saying she and her husband Robert heard sirens and turned on a police scanner in their home to find out what it was.

"The next thing I knew there was a loud knock at the door" - police officers, there to tell her that Bobby had been killed. "My knees buckled and I couldn't believe what had happened."

Bonnie said she and her husband have been depressed and "run down" ever since, with Robert unable to return to work for six months after the crash. "Ryan (Baird) only knew my son for less than two hours, and now he's gone," she said.

Baird, Sunderland and another passenger in the car, 23-year-old Oscar Lupercio, had gathered in Woodland that day to celebrate Black's 21st birthday. Baird, a Sacramento resident, testified that he started drinking earlier in the day and "blacked out" long before getting behind the wheel of his Mitsubishi Eclipse.

Bobby's brother, Ian Sunderland, also submitted a statement Thursday, saying he still suffers nightmares and sleeplessness as a result of his brother's death.

"I lost a brother and a best friend due to the fact that people cannot abide by the law," he said. "There will always be a dark area in my life because of this."

Following these statements, Judge Janet Gaard said she was aware family members were expecting a sentencing.

"I'm sorry you're going to have to wait longer," she told them.

On May 13, a jury found Baird guilty of second-degree murder, gross vehicular manslaughter, driving under the influence causing injury and driving with more than 0.08 blood alcohol content. The charges carry enhancements for multiple victims involved and for inflicting great bodily injury.

But Gaard said the enhancements and other charges posed questions that she could not immediately answer. For example, "Is multiple victim enhancement in addition to, or an alternative to, great bodily injury enhancement?" she asked.

Baird's prior convictions - for misdemeanor DUI in both Yolo and Sacramento counties - also complicated his sentencing, the judge said.

"This is a difficult case and there are a number of legal issues that need to be addressed," Gaard said. She requested further briefing from the defense and prosecution, and set a new sentencing date for Aug. 2.